Why I Use May to Get Ahead of Summer Soreness

Is it just me, or does summer always sneak up?

One minute it’s chilly mornings and light yard work… and the next? You’re out all weekend pulling weeds, standing around at cookouts, and playing referee in a water balloon fight.

I’ve learned the hard way that even if I’ve been more active in spring, summer hits different. It’s hotter. Longer days. More plans. More walking. More standing. More everything.

So now, I treat May like my warm-up month. 🌞

It’s when I get serious about prepping for summer, not just enjoying spring. Because let me tell you: trying to “play catch-up” once the soreness kicks in? Not fun.

Here’s what I’ve been doing lately to get ahead of that summer soreness (and enjoy myself without paying for it the next day):

 

✅ I start pacing myself before the calendar fills up

May is when the invites start rolling in — cookouts, graduations, early summer trips. And it’s tempting to say yes to everything, especially when the weather's finally nice.

But I’ve learned that if I don’t practice pacing myself now, I crash hard by mid-June. My knees start barking. My feet swell up. And suddenly, I'm sitting out of the fun stuff because I tried to do it all too fast.

So this month, I’m getting in the habit of choosing just one big thing each weekend. Not two or three. Just one. That might be cleaning out the garage, hosting family, or going on a longer day trip. 🌄

The rest of the weekend? I keep it light — little walks, a chair in the shade, a few pages of a book. I’m training myself now to leave gas in the tank ⛽ — so when July hits, my joints don’t quit on me.

 

✅ I stretch differently (and more often)

You know those light morning stretches that feel good in spring? A little toe touch, a shoulder roll, maybe a twist while you sip your coffee?

Well… summer’s a bit different.

That heat can sneak up on your joints. It pulls moisture from your body faster, makes your muscles feel tight, and some mornings, I swear I wake up already feeling a little stiff — and I haven’t even done anything yet!

So in May, I start upgrading my routine. Nothing crazy — just a few stretches to get ahead of the summer strain:

• Hip openers 🧘 (my go-to if I’ve got yard work coming)

• Ankle circles and calf stretches 🦶 (especially helpful if you walk barefoot on patios like I do)

• Side bends and quad stretches 🤸 (because coolers don’t move themselves)

I’ve also started doing some quick balance work — like standing on one foot while brushing my teeth 🪥 — to help with all the uneven ground I seem to walk on all summer long.

Takes me 2–3 minutes. But it helps me feel way less creaky when I actually start moving.

 

✅ I stop walking outside in my “just for a sec” shoes

In spring, I’m guilty of slipping on whatever’s by the door. Flip-flops, old sneakers, sometimes even those foam slides that feel like walking on marshmallows (until your back reminds you they have zero support 😅).

But here’s the thing: summer’s not just more active — it’s sneakier.

You start by watering the plants… then suddenly you’re dragging chairs, hauling mulch, chasing grandkids, or standing for 3 hours at a BBQ.

So in May, I break the habit.

I pick one pair of real shoes — supportive, broken-in, decent tread — and leave them by the door. If I’m going outside, even “just for a sec,” I put them on. That tiny shift has saved my knees and ankles more times than I can count.

And bonus: fewer stubbed toes on patio furniture. 😬

 

✅ I stop eating like it’s still spring

In spring, I’ll admit—I get a little loose with the salt shaker. A little extra here, a salty snack there. And I don’t always think about how much water I’m drinking, especially when it’s still a little cool outside.

But by the time summer hits, that combo? Oof. Swollen fingers, puffy ankles, and feet that feel like they’ve been crammed into balloons.

So in May, I start shifting:

• I cut back on salt-heavy foods 🍟— especially things like deli meat, chips, and takeout
• I carry a water bottle everywhere 💧 (yes, like a teenager at summer camp)
• I eat more hydrating foods 🍉like cucumbers, berries, and watermelon
• And I still enjoy a cold beer now and then 🍺 … but I chase it with water

The goal? Stay ahead of the swelling, not chase it down later. Your joints will let you know when they’re not happy — mine sure do. So I do them a favor and get ahead of it.

 

✅ I don’t wait until I’m sore to take my joint support

Look, I’ve played this game before: I feel fine, so I figure I can skip my usual routine. Then I spend the weekend walking through town festivals, standing at BBQs, or on my feet for hours at a graduation party…

…and by Monday, my joints are throwing a tantrum.

Now I’ve learned: May is when I lock in my habits. That means I’m taking my Uric Acid Support every single morning, even if I’m not feeling stiff yet.

Because the truth is, it’s way easier to stay ahead of discomfort than try to dig yourself out of it.

I even keep a few capsules in a travel case in my bag or the car. That way if I forget in the morning, I’m not out of luck when plans pop up. (And in the summer, they always do 😉.)

 

🤔 So what about you?

Summer might come with more sun and fun—but it also asks more from our bodies. That’s why I treat May like my prep month. A few small changes now, and I’m way better off when the season really ramps up.

• How does your body usually react when summer ramps up?

• Are there changes you make in May to get ahead of it—or are you like I was, just hoping for the best?

If your joints have a history of slowing you down once summer hits, I hope this gave you some ideas to start early, take it easy, and stay consistent. 💭

You deserve to enjoy every cookout, road trip, and backyard hang without feeling it for three days after.

Looking for extra support? [Check out what I take every morning to stay ahead of the soreness →]

—Brandon